Uneasy truce after star war

Suspence over Paes, Bhupathi to stay together despite the bitter post-loss rift

From 10 this morning, at court No 3 of the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex, there was an apparently innocuous session of doubles in progress: Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi on one side, and Rohan Bopanna and Mustafa Ghouse on the other. It did not look like a very serious affair, and the two doubles stalwarts of the country weren8217;t really in the mood for a real knockabout.

Dr Vece Paes was the 8216;ball boy8217; and coach Nandan Bal lolled around, mostly under the umbrella. Two hours later, All India Tennis Association AITA secretary Anil Khanna walked in, just before the players probably lost count of their games and sets and relaxed. At the net, with the juniors off court, the senior pros started to talk. Leander looked straight at his one-time partner and shot off questions. Mahesh shrugged, opened his arms, gesticulated and threw back replies. It was a hot morning; it looked a trifle hotter on Court 3.

Over ten minutes of intense talk, head-to-head, if not heart-to-heart, Leander putting tissue to a sweaty brow, Mahesh looking pretty defensive, the heat subsided and the two broke away. As skipper Leander and the rest gravitated towards Khanna, Mahesh picked up his bag and stormed out of the court. What happened? What is the doubles combination? Are you playing? 8220;Ask the skipper,8221; was Mahesh8217;s quick reply.

Paes went to cell phone mode. That was another fifteen minutes. Following the dreary wait of nearly three hours Paes pulls out and informs that he will talk later since there 8220;is a draw later8221;.

The wait continues before there is inside information that there has been no change in the combination. The two are playing together after all. The combinations are: Paes-Bhupathi, Paes-Sania Mirza, Bhupathi Shikha Uberoi and Rohan Bopanna-Mustafa Ghouse.

The interesting part of the entire episode was the drama that was enacted. That part was totally unnecessary. It was also unnecessary that a trial be called to prove Bhupathi8217;s fitness. What happened can hardly be called a trial. The charade adds little to the pride of the team, and only a pricey medal can make good. The wait is about whether they can deliver.